Automatic Vehicle Plow Lifting System

ABSTRACT

An automatic vehicle plow lifting system including an apparatus for raising and lowering a snow plow of a winter service vehicle having a plowing assembly including at least one guiding leg configured to lower the snow plow as the winter service vehicle moves forward and to raise the snow plow as the winter service vehicle moves in reverse, and at least one support frame extending from the at least one guiding leg, and including a snow plow couple configured to mount the device to the snow plow.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/479,268 filed Mar. 30, 2017, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art nor material to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of hardware systemsand more specifically relates to snow plow devices.

2. Description of Related Art

A snowplow is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used forremoving snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those servingtransportation purposes. They are known as winter service vehicles,especially in areas that regularly receive large amounts of snow everyyear, or in specific environments such as airfields. In other cases,pickup trucks and front-end loaders are outfitted with attachments tofulfill this purpose. Plowing snow with an all-terrain, whileconvenient, can place immense wear and tear on the vehicle after a shortperiod of time. Premature wearing of the all-terrain winch can lead towearing of the winch cable. Wear and tear on both of these componentscan cause the plow system to malfunction. Having to manually engage anddisengage the plow while removing snow can be exceptionally frustrating,forcing an individual to spend an exorbitant amount of time plowing evensmall amounts of snow. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0016033 to Charles Schmeichel relates to aself-adjusting snow plow. The described self-adjusting snow plowincludes a self-adjusting snow plow for use with pickup trucks and sportutility vehicles. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus forattachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having first and second ends, atop, a bottom, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper.The mounting apparatus preferably includes a pair of mounting uprightsand a hitch tongue which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which issecured to the front of a vehicle. The retention members are preferablyconstructed and arranged to at least partially encircle and slideablyengage one of the respective mounting uprights and the retention membersallow the respective ends of the plow blade to slide upward relative tothe mounting upright most proximate to that end of the plow while theother end of the plow remains generally in the same position relative tothe mounting upright proximate that end of the plow blade. The preferredretention members also permit the bottom of the plow blade to pivot awayfrom the respective mounting uprights when the plow blade is engagedwith the mounting apparatus in a working orientation and the vehicle isin motion in a direction rearward of the plow blade.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known hardwaresystems art, the present disclosure provides a novel automatic vehicleplow lifting system. The general purpose of the present disclosure,which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide alifting and lowering device for use with a snow plow while plowing snowwith an all-terrain vehicle, or other such suitable vehicle.

An automatic vehicle plow lifting system is disclosed herein. Theautomatic vehicle plow lifting system includes an apparatus for raisingand lowering a snow plow of a winter service vehicle having a plowingassembly including at least one guiding leg configured to lower the snowplow as the winter service vehicle moves forward and to raise the snowplow as the winter service vehicle moves in reverse, and at least onesupport frame extending from the at least one guiding leg, and includinga snow plow couple configured to mount the device to the snow plow. Thesnow plow couple includes a mounting bracket configured to be fastenedto a back surface of the snow plow. The at least one guiding leg and theat least one support frame are arranged such that a first-end of the atleast one guiding leg is proximate the ground. The at least one guidingleg comprises a substantially c-shaped profile having a gradualcurvature.

The automatic vehicle plow lifting system may be arranged as a kitincluding a set of plowing assemblies, a plurality of mountingfasteners, and a set of instructions.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages,and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is tobe understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achievedin accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus,the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achievesor optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught hereinwithout necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to benovel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in theconcluding portion of the specification. These and other features,aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following drawings and detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, anautomatic vehicle plow lifting system, constructed and operativeaccording to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1A is another perspective view of the automatic vehicle plowlifting system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting systemof FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a kit view for automatic vehicle plow lifting system,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate tohardware systems and more particularly to an automatic vehicle plowlifting system as used to improve the use of snow plowing means.

Generally, the present invention provides all-terrain vehicles and othersuch vehicles with a hardware system capable of raising and lowering aplow depending on the vehicle's traveling direction. It allows the plowsto engage and transport materials when the vehicle is set in forwardmotion and disengage when set in reverse. This eliminates the need foradditional controls in order to activate or deactivate an automaticvehicle plow lifting system. It prevents costly failures of a standardplow winch system, ensuring the plow can be used for an extended periodof time. The present invention effectively reduces wear and tear on allparts of the all-terrain (or other) vehicle and reduces the amount oftime it takes to plow snow. Further it reduces wear and tear on vehiclecharging systems.

Automatic vehicle plow lifting system is a set of lifting mechanismsconnected to a vehicle plow (all-terrain vehicle or the like), allowingthe plow to automatically engage and disengage. The system utilizesforward and reverse momentum of a vehicle to raise and lower the plowblade. The lifting mechanisms can be installed on both ends of the plowin order to engage and disengage the plow while a vehicle is in motion.When a vehicle moves forward, the lifters lower the plow blade to theroad surface. When the vehicle is put in reverse, the lifters raise theplow blade a few inches above the ground so the plow is not dragging.Users can plow snow as needed with little wear and tear on winchassembly parts while reducing the amount of time it takes to plow.

The automatic vehicle plow lifting system can be constructed using steeland other suitable materials. The ¼″ thick steel curved liftingmechanism may measure approximately 21″ in length and is attached to abracket via a pin. The bracket is attached at the bottom and top of theplow via bolts. The plow can be purchased with the automatic lifterspreinstalled or the lifters may be purchased separately for installationto an existing plow.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals ofreference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an automaticvehicle plow lifting system 100. FIGS. 1-1A shows an automatic vehicleplow lifting system 100 during ‘in-use’ conditions 150, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the automaticvehicle plow lifting system 100 may include an apparatus 110 for raisingand lowering a snow plow 5 of a winter service vehicle 15 having aplowing assembly 120 including at least one guiding leg 130 configuredto lower the snow plow as the winter service vehicle 15 moves forwardand to raise the snow plow 5 as the winter service vehicle 15 moves inreverse, and at least one support frame 140 extending from the at leastone guiding leg 130, and including a snow plow couple 160 configured tomount the device to the snow plow 5. The small bracket above the atv canbe used on plows that already have a side flange (i.e., not requiringthe full size arc bracket). Some plows have a side flange and some donot; plows without the side flange require the full arc bracket forsupport/strength.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As above, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 mayinclude the plowing assembly 120 having the at least one guiding leg 130and at least one support frame 140. The snow plow couple 160 includes amounting bracket configured to be fastened to a back surface of the snowplow 5. The mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to theback surface of the snow plow 5. The mounting bracket is furtherconfigured to include four bolt holes. The mounting bracket is furtherconfigured to be bolted to the back surface of the snow plow 5 usingmounting bolts having a diameter of ¼ inch.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a perspective view of the automaticvehicle plow lifting system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. As above, the automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem 100 may include the plowing assembly 120 having the at least oneguiding leg 130 and at least one support frame 140 configured to be usedwith a winter service vehicle 15 such as an all-terrain vehicle. The atleast one guiding leg 130 and the at least one support frame 140 arearranged such that a first-end 132 of the at least one guiding leg 130is proximate the ground. The at least one guiding leg 130 includes a barshaped and oriented to align with the back surface of the snow plow 5.The at least one guiding leg 130 further includes a pipe, a length ofwhich is permanently attached to a second-end 134 of the at least oneguiding leg 130.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As above, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 mayinclude the plowing assembly 120 having the at least one guiding leg 130and at least one support frame 140. The plowing assembly 120 furtherincludes a fastener 142. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 142includes a pin configured to secure the at least one guiding leg 130 tothe mounting bracket. The pin allows the at least one guiding leg 130 topivot in relation to the mounting bracket. The pin is removeable. Othersuitable fasteners may be used. The plowing assembly 120 is configuredto be installed on opposing ends of the snow plow 5, parallel to oneanother. The at least one guiding leg 130 comprises a substantiallyc-shaped profile having a gradual curvature. The snow plow 5 may or maynot have a side flange.

As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 may bearranged as a kit 105. In particular, the automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem 100 may further include a set of plowing assemblies 120, aplurality of mounting fasteners 25, and a set of instructions 107. Theinstructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to thestructure of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 such that theautomatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 can be used, maintained, orthe like, in a preferred manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. An automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem comprising: an apparatus for raising and lowering a snow plow ofa winter service vehicle having; a plowing assembly including; at leastone guiding leg configured to lower said snow plow as said winterservice vehicle moves forward and to raise said snow plow as said winterservice vehicle moves in reverse; and at least one support frameextending from said at least one guiding leg and including a snow plowcouple configured to mount said device to said snow plow.
 2. Theautomatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said snow plowcouple includes a mounting bracket configured to be fastened to a backsurface of said snow plow.
 3. The automatic vehicle plow lifting systemof claim 2, wherein said mounting bracket is further configured to bebolted to said back surface of said snow plow.
 4. The automatic vehicleplow lifting system of claim 3, wherein said mounting bracket is furtherconfigured to include four bolt holes.
 5. The automatic vehicle plowlifting system of claim 3, wherein said mounting bracket is furtherconfigured to be bolted to said back surface of said snow plow usingmounting bolts having a diameter of ¼ inch.
 6. The automatic vehicleplow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said at least one guiding legand said at least one support frame are arranged such that a first-endof said at least one guiding leg is proximate said ground.
 7. Theautomatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 6, wherein said at leastone guiding leg includes a bar shaped and oriented to align with saidback surface of said snow plow.
 8. The automatic vehicle plow liftingsystem of claim 7, wherein said at least one guiding leg furtherincludes a pipe, a length of which is permanently attached to asecond-end of said at least one guiding leg.
 9. The automatic vehicleplow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said plowing assembly furtherincludes a fastener.
 10. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system ofclaim 9, wherein said fastener includes a pin configured to secure saidat least one guiding leg to said mounting bracket.
 11. The automaticvehicle plow lifting system of claim 10, wherein said pin allows said atleast one guiding leg to pivot in relation to said mounting bracket. 12.The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 10, wherein said pinis removeable.
 13. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1,wherein said plowing assembly is configured to be installed on opposingends of said snow plow, parallel to one another.
 14. The automaticvehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said at least oneguiding leg comprises a substantially c-shaped profile having a gradualcurvature.
 15. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1,wherein said snow plow does not comprise a side flange.
 16. Theautomatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said snow plowcomprises a side flange.
 17. The automatic vehicle plow lifting systemof claim 1, wherein said winter service vehicle includes an all-terrainvehicle.
 18. An automatic vehicle plow lifting system, the automaticvehicle plow lifting system comprising: an apparatus for raising andlowering a snow plow of a winter service vehicle having; a plowingassembly including; at least one guiding leg configured to lower saidsnow plow as said winter service vehicle moves forward and to raise saidsnow plow as said winter service vehicle moves in reverse; at least onesupport frame extending from said at least one guiding leg, andincluding a snow plow couple configured to mount said device to saidsnow plow; wherein said snow plow couple includes a mounting bracketconfigured to be fastened to a back surface of said snow plow; whereinsaid mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to said backsurface of said snow plow; wherein said mounting bracket is furtherconfigured to include four bolt holes; wherein said mounting bracket isfurther configured to be bolted to said back surface of said snow plowusing mounting bolts having a diameter of ¼ inch; wherein said at leastone guiding leg and said at least one support frame are arranged suchthat a first-end of said at least one guiding leg is proximate saidground; wherein said at least one guiding leg includes a bar shaped andoriented to align with said back surface of said snow plow; wherein saidat least one guiding leg further includes a pipe, a length of which ispermanently attached to a second-end of said at least one guiding leg;wherein said plowing assembly further includes a fastener; wherein saidfastener includes a pin configured to secure said at least one guidingleg to said mounting bracket; wherein said pin allows said at least oneguiding leg to pivot in relation to said mounting bracket; wherein saidpin is removeable; wherein said plowing assembly is configured to beinstalled on opposing ends of said snow plow, parallel to one another;wherein said at least one guiding leg comprises a substantially c-shapedprofile having a gradual curvature; and wherein said winter servicevehicle includes an all-terrain vehicle.
 19. The automatic vehicle plowlifting system of claim 18, further comprising: a set of said plowingassemblies; a plurality of said mounting fasteners; a set ofinstructions; and wherein the automatic vehicle plow lifting system isarranged as a kit.